Horse-detacher



R. T. HARP.

HORSE DETACHER.

APPLICATION man sEPT.11.1919.

Patented Sept. 28,1920.

- vvithont usaran sraras Parser orrlcs.

HORSE-DETACHER.

Application filed September 11, 1919.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, itonnn'r T. HARP, a citizen of the United States, residing at (iratliff, in the conntyof -Whitley and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Detachers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for its object to provide a cutoff, whereby an animal may be quickly released from a vehicle should it become frightened or unmanageable and tend to run away and thereby endanger the vehicle and occupants.

rlhe invention provides a device of the character and for the purpose stated which under ordinary conditions provides secure attaching means between the animal and vehicle, but which under abnormal conditions will enable the driver to quickly release the animal so that it may` detach itself from the vehicle without dragging the same and thereby endangering the lives of the occupants.-

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions, various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to departing from the nature of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of horse detaching means embodying the invention, the foot operated lever being in section.

Fig. 2 is a side view, the swingletree and supporting beam being in section.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail on the line 4-4 of F ig. 3, looking to the rear, as indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the keeper to which the swingletree is connected.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates a cross beam or like part of a vehicle which forms supporting means for the parts comprising the cutofi1 or detaching mechanism. A plate 2 is secured in any substantial manner to the beam 1 and is provided with guides which are adapted to receive a keeper 3 which is detachably connected to the plate. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 28,1920. ser-iai No'. 323,101.l

guides consist of members 4- and 5. The member il is fined whereas the member 5 is pivoted, the pivot fastening being shown at 6. covering plate 7 is disposed parallel with the base plate 2 and, is supported upon the members 4; and 5 and is secured to the base plate 2 in any manner. A portion of the covering plate is upturned, as indicated at 8 and a foot lever 9 is pivoted thereto at 10. rEhe lower portion of the foot lever 9 is formed with a longitudinal slot 11 and said foot lever is yieldably held in a given position by means of a spring 12 which is mounted upon the fastening l0 and has one end engaging the lever and the other end in contact with the plate 7. rllhe upper end of the lever 9 extends within convenient reach of the drivers foot, so as to be pressed upon when it is required to effect release of the horse.

The keeper 3 is of U shape and is mounted upon the hase plate 2 by one of its members. A swingletree 13 is pivotally mounted between the free ends of the members of the keeper 3 and the horse or other draft animal is hitched thereto so that when the keeper is released, the horse may readily detach itself from the vehicle and thereby prevent dragging the same. The base of the keeper 3 is formed with opposite extensions 14 which are adapted to engage depressions 15 in the inner sides of the members l and 5. The extensions 14 have their front and rear edges oppositely inclined whereby to facilitate the placing of the keeper in position and the detachment of the keeper when released. The depressions or recesses 15 cerrespond in outline to the extensions 14, so as to receive the same. When the keeper 3 is in place, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1 it is retained in position by the extensions 14 entering the depressions 15. Under normal conditions, the member 5 is held against movement, but under abnormal conditions, the member 5 is released, thereby permitting the keeper to automatically detach itself by the inclined edges of the extensions 14C riding upon the inclined walls of the depressions 15 which result in a pivotal movement of the member 5 and the automatic release of the keeper and the animal hitched thereto through the swingletree 13. A restraining member 16 is pivoted to the base plate 2 at 17 and the pivotfastening 17 also serves as securing means for the covering plate 7. The restraining member 16 projects laterally lto and passes through the slot 11fof the lever 9. A shoulder 18 formed near, the inner or -pivotal end of the member 16 is adapted to engage the rear end of the member 5 and hold` the latter in operative position. Vhen it loecomes necessary to releasey the animal to pre-` 3 therefrom and a release of the animalV which may break away without dragging the vehicle and causing damage thereto andV possible injury to the occupants thereof.

Having thus fully described myinventi'on, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Y Letters Patent is Horse detaching means of the character specified, comprising a base plate, a fixed member and a pivoted member mounted thereon, a coveringV plate engaging saidY members and secured to thebase plate and having a portion upturned, a lever pivoted vto .the Vupturned yportion of the covering plate and having a longitudinal slot therein, a'restraining member'adapted to engage the before mentioned pivoted member and passing through the slot of said lever and a keeper insertible between the fixed and pivoted members and normally retained in operative position thereby.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

s ROBERT THOMAS HARP. Witnesses: Y GEORGE M. Rosin,

O. J. CARR. 

